Freedom Index

A Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

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Congressional Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

The Congressional Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how members of Congress are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about the constitutionality of their congressman's votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

Congressional Scorecard

Based on the U.S. Constitution

Scorecard 108-1

The Congressional Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how members of Congress are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about the constitutionality of their congressman's votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

The following scorecard lists several key votes in the 108th Congress (January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005) and ranks congressmen based on his or her fidelity to constitutional and limited-government principles.

Senate
House

House of Representatives

1. Ban on UN Contributions

Good Vote: Yes

Rep. Ron Paul's (R-TX) amendment to HR 1950 Ban on UN Contributions (Rejected 74 to 350 on 7/15/2003, Roll Call 364). Would prohibit funding for any U.S. contribution to the United Nations or any UN-affiliated agency.

2. Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

Good Vote: Yes

S 3 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban (Passed 281 to 142 on 10/2/2003, Roll Call 530). Would ban partial-birth abortions.

3. Prescription Drug Benefit

Good Vote: No

HR 1 Prescription Drug Benefit (Passed 220 to 215 on 11/22/2003, Roll Call 669). Would create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

4. Fiscal 2005 Budget Resolution

Good Vote: No

HCR 393 Fiscal 2005 Budget Resolution (Passed 215 to 212 on 3/25/2004, Roll Call 92). Would establish broad spending and revenue targets over the next five years, for a total budget of $2.4 trillion. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 8.

5. Continuity of Congress

Good Vote: Yes

HR 2844 Continuity of Congress (Passed 306 to 97 on 4/22/2004, Roll Call 130). Would require special elections to be held within 45 days to fill vacant House seats in the extraordinary circumstance of more than 100 vacancies. See U.S. Const., Art. 1, Sec. 4.

6. Marriage Protection Act

Good Vote: Yes

HR 3313 Marriage Protection Act (Passed 233 to 194 on 7/22/2004, Roll Call 410). Would protect marriage from judicial activism by restricting the federal courts as opposed to amending the Constitution.

Legislator Scores

Legend: [ + ] Constitutional Vote[ - ] Unconstitutional Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party State Score 123456
Neil Abercrombie D HI 40% --+.+-
Gary Ackerman D NY 50% --+++-
Robert Aderholt R AL 50% -+--++
W. Akin R MO 67% -++-++
Rodney Alexander R LA 50% -+-+-+
Thomas Allen D ME 33% --++--
Robert Andrews D NJ 33% --++--
Joe Baca D CA 50% --+++-
Spencer Bachus R AL 50% -+--++
Brian Baird D WA 33% --++--
Richard Baker R LA 50% -+--++
Frank Ballance D NC 60% --+++.
Cass Ballenger R NC 50% -+--++
James Barrett R SC 83% +++-++
Roscoe Bartlett R MD 60% .+--++
Joe Barton R TX 67% ++--++
Charles Bass R NH 33% -+--+-
Bob Beauprez R CO 50% -+--++
Xavier Becerra D CA 50% --+++-
Chris Bell D TX 33% --++--
Douglas Bereuter R NE 33% -+--+-
Shelley Berkley D NV 40% .-++--
Howard Berman D CA 50% --+++-
Robert Berry D AR 67% -+++-+
Judy Biggert R IL 33% -+--+-
Michael Bilirakis R FL 67% ++--++
Rob Bishop R UT 67% ++--++
Sanford Bishop D GA 67% -++++-
Timothy Bishop D NY 50% --+++-
Earl Blumenauer D OR 50% --+++-
Sherwood Boehlert R NY 40% -+--.+
John Boehner R OH 50% -+--++
Henry Bonilla R TX 50% -+--++
Jo Bonner R AL 50% -+--++
Mary Bono Mack R CA 33% -+--+-
Leonard Boswell D IA 60% -.+++-
Frederick Boucher D VA 50% ---+++
Allen Boyd D FL 67% -+-+++
Jeb Bradley R NH 50% -+--++
Kevin Brady R TX 40% -.--++
Robert Brady D PA 33% --++--
Henry Brown R SC 50% -+--++
Corrine Brown D FL 50% --+++-
Virginia Brown-Waite R FL 50% -+--++
Michael Burgess R TX 67% ++--++
Max Burns R GA 50% -+--++
Dan Burton R IN 83% +++-++
Stephen Buyer R IN 50% -+--++
Ken Calvert R CA 50% -+--++
Dave Camp R MI 50% -+--++
Christopher Cannon R UT 67% ++--++
Eric Cantor R VA 67% ++--++
Lois Capps D CA 50% --+++-
Michael Capuano D MA 50% --+++-
Dennis Cardoza D CA 50% --+++-
Brad Carson D OK 67% -+-+++
Julia Carson D IN 60% --+++.
John Carter R TX 60% ++--.+
Ed Case D HI 50% --+++-
Michael Castle R DE 50% -+-++-
Steve Chabot R OH 80% .++-++
Ben Chandler D KY 100% ...+++
Chris Chocola R IN 50% -+--++
Wm. Clay D MO 33% --++--
James Clyburn D SC 60% -+++.-
Howard Coble R NC 67% ++--++
Tom Cole R OK 50% -+--++
Michael Collins R GA 50% ++--..
Larry Combest R TX NA ......
John Conyers D MI 50% --+++-
Jim Cooper D TN 67% -++++-
Jerry Costello D IL 83% -+++++
C. Cox R CA 50% -+--++
Robert Cramer D AL 50% -+-+-+
Philip Crane R IL 67% ++--++
Ander Crenshaw R FL 50% -+--++
Joseph Crowley D NY 67% -++++-
Barbara Cubin R WY 67% ++--++
John Culberson R TX 83% +++-++
Elijah Cummings D MD 33% --++--
Randall Cunningham R CA 50% -+--++
James Davis D FL 67% -++++-
Jo Ann Davis R VA 67% ++--++
Thomas Davis R VA 50% -+--++
Artur Davis D AL 50% -+++--
Lincoln Davis D TN 67% -+-+++
Danny Davis D IL 33% --++--
Susan Davis D CA 33% --++--
Nathan Deal R GA 67% ++--++
Peter DeFazio D OR 50% --+++-
Diana DeGette D CO 33% --++--
William Delahunt D MA 40% --++.-
Rosa DeLauro D CT 33% --++--
Thomas DeLay R TX 67% ++--++
Peter Deutsch D FL 50% --+++-
Lincoln Diaz-Balart R FL 50% -+--++
Mario Diaz-Balart R FL 67% ++--++
Norman Dicks D WA 33% --++--
John Dingell D MI 50% -+++--
Lloyd Doggett D TX 33% --++--
Calvin Dooley D CA 17% ---+--
John Doolittle R CA 67% ++--++
Michael Doyle D PA 67% -++++-
David Dreier R CA 40% -.--++
John Duncan R TN 80% ++-+.+
Jennifer Dunn R WA 50% -+--++
Thomas Edwards D TX 67% --++++
Vernon Ehlers R MI 50% -+--++
Rahm Emanuel D IL 33% --++--
Jo Ann Emerson R MO 67% -++-++
Eliot Engel D NY 50% --+++-
Philip English R PA 33% -+--+-
Anna Eshoo D CA 40% -.++--
Bob Etheridge D NC 67% -++++-
Lane Evans D IL 40% -.++--
Terry Everett R AL 67% ++--++
Sam Farr D CA 33% --++--
Chaka Fattah D PA 50% --+++-
Tom Feeney R FL 83% +++-++
Michael Ferguson R NJ 60% .+--++
Bob Filner D CA 33% --++--
Ernest Fletcher R KY 33% -+-...
Mark Foley R FL 50% ++--+-
J. Forbes R VA 60% ++--.+
Harold Ford Jr. D TN 60% -++.+-
Vito Fossella R NY 50% -+--++
Barney Frank D MA 50% --+++-
Trent Franks R AZ 67% ++--++
Rodney Frelinghuysen R NJ 50% -+--++
Jonas Frost D TX 33% --++--
Elton Gallegly R CA 40% -+--.+
Scott Garrett R NJ 83% +++-++
Richard Gephardt D MO 67% ..++.-
Jim Gerlach R PA 33% -+--+-
James Gibbons R NV 67% ++--++
Wayne Gilchrest R MD 33% -+--+-
Paul Gillmor R OH 50% -+--++
Phil Gingrey R GA 50% -+--++
Charles Gonzalez D TX 33% --++--
Virgil Goode R VA 83% ++-+++
Bob Goodlatte R VA 50% -+--++
Barton Gordon D TN 67% -+++-+
Porter Goss R FL 50% -+--++
Kay Granger R TX 50% -+--++
Sam Graves R MO 50% -+--++
Mark Green R WI 50% -+--++
Gene Green D TX 50% --+++-
James Greenwood R PA 20% ----+.
Raul Grijalva D AZ 33% --++--
Luis Gutierrez D IL 33% --++--
Gilbert Gutknecht R MN 67% -++-++
Ralph Hall R TX 50% -+--++
Jane Harman D CA 50% --+++-
Katherine Harris R FL 50% -+--++
Melissa Hart R PA 50% -+--++
J. Hastert R IL 50% .+--.+
Alcee Hastings D FL 40% --++.-
Doc Hastings R WA 50% -+--++
Robin Hayes R NC 67% ++--++
John Hayworth R AZ 60% .+--++
Joel Hefley R CO 50% -+-+-+
Jeb Hensarling R TX 50% -+--++
Walter Herger R CA 50% -+--++
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin D SD 100% .....+
Baron Hill D IN 50% -+++--
Maurice Hinchey D NY 40% --++.-
Ruben Hinojosa D TX 60% -+++.-
David Hobson R OH 50% -+--++
Joseph Hoeffel D PA 50% --+++-
Peter Hoekstra R MI 50% -+--++
Tim Holden D PA 83% -+++++
Rush Holt D NJ 33% --++--
Michael Honda D CA 33% --++--
Darlene Hooley D OR 50% --+++-
John Hostettler R IN 100% ++++++
Amory Houghton R NY 20% -+--.-
Steny Hoyer D MD 33% --++--
Kenny Hulshof R MO 40% -+--.+
Duncan Hunter R CA 50% -+--++
Henry Hyde R IL 40% -.--++
Jay Inslee D WA 33% --++--
Steve Israel D NY 50% --+++-
Darrell Issa R CA 40% -.--++
Ernest Istook R OK 67% ++--++
Jesse Jackson D IL 33% --++--
Sheila Jackson-Lee D TX 40% --++.-
William Janklow R SD 50% .+-...
William Jefferson D LA 80% .++++-
William Jenkins R TN 50% -+--++
Christopher John D LA 50% -+-+-+
Nancy Johnson R CT 0% .-----
Timothy Johnson R IL 50% -+--++
Eddie Johnson D TX 33% --++--
Sam Johnson R TX 67% ++--++
Stephanie Jones D OH 40% --++.-
Walter Jones Jr. R NC 100% ++++++
Paul Kanjorski D PA 67% -++++-
Marcy Kaptur D OH 50% -+++--
Ric Keller R FL 67% ++--++
Sue Kelly R NY 50% -+--++
Mark Kennedy R MN 50% -+--++
Patrick Kennedy D RI 50% -+++--
Dale Kildee D MI 67% -++++-
Carolyn Kilpatrick D MI 33% --++--
Ron Kind D WI 50% --+++-
Peter King R NY 50% -+--++
Steve King R IA 50% -+--++
Jack Kingston R GA 67% ++--++
Gerald Kleczka D WI 67% -++++-
John Kline R MN 50% -+--++
Joseph Knollenberg R MI 50% -+--++
James Kolbe R AZ 17% ----+-
Dennis Kucinich D OH 40% --++-.
Ray LaHood R IL 50% -+--++
Nicholas Lampson D TX 67% -++++-
James Langevin D RI 50% -+++--
Tom Lantos D CA 50% --+++-
Rick Larsen D WA 33% --++--
John Larson D CT 33% --++--
Tom Latham R IA 50% -+--++
Steven LaTourette R OH 33% -+---+
James Leach R IA 33% -+--+-
Barbara Lee D CA 33% --++--
Sander Levin D MI 50% --+++-
Ron Lewis R KY 50% -+--++
Jerry Lewis R CA 50% -+--++
John Lewis D GA 50% --+++-
John Linder R GA 50% -+--++
William Lipinski D IL 67% -++++-
Frank LoBiondo R NJ 50% -+--++
Zoe Lofgren D CA 50% --+++-
Nita Lowey D NY 60% --+++.
Kenneth Lucas D KY 80% -++.++
Frank Lucas R OK 50% ++---+
Stephen Lynch D MA 50% -+++--
Denise Majette D GA 33% --++--
Carolyn Maloney D NY 50% --+++-
Donald Manzullo R IL 67% ++--++
James Marshall D GA 67% -+-+++
Jim Matheson D UT 67% -+-+++
Robert Matsui D CA 33% --++--
Karen McCarthy D MO 50% --+++-
Carolyn McCarthy D NY 50% --+++-
Betty McCollum D MN 33% --++--
Thaddeus McCotter R MI 50% -+--++
James McCrery R LA 50% -+--++
Jim McDermott D WA 33% --++--
James McGovern D MA 33% --++--
John McHugh R NY 50% -+--++
Scott McInnis R CO 40% -+-.-+
Mike McIntyre D NC 83% -+++++
Howard McKeon R CA 50% -+--++
Michael McNulty D NY 67% -++++-
Martin Meehan D MA 33% --++--
Kendrick Meek D FL 50% --+++-
Gregory Meeks D NY 50% --+++-
John Mica R FL 50% -+--++
Michael Michaud D ME 50% -+++--
Juanita Millender-McDonald D CA 50% .-++.-
R. Miller D NC 50% --+++-
Candice Miller R MI 50% -+--++
Gary Miller R CA 50% -+--++
George Miller D CA 33% --++--
Jeff Miller R FL 83% +++-++
Alan Mollohan D WV 60% -+++.-
Dennis Moore D KS 50% --+++-
James Moran D VA 50% --+++-
Tim Murphy R PA 50% -+--++
John Murtha D PA 67% -++++-
Marilyn Musgrave R CO 83% +++-++
Sue Myrick R NC 67% ++--++
Jerrold Nadler D NY 33% --++--
Grace Napolitano D CA 50% --+++-
Richard Neal D MA 50% -+++--
George Nethercutt R WA 50% -+--++
Randy Neugebauer R TX 67% ++--++
Robert Ney R OH 67% ++--++
Anne Northup R KY 50% -+--++
Charles Norwood R GA 83% +++-++
Devin Nunes R CA 40% -+--.+
James Nussle R IA 50% -+--++
James Oberstar D MN 50% -+++--
David Obey D WI 67% ++++--
John Olver D MA 33% --++--
Solomon Ortiz D TX 67% -++++-
Thomas Osborne R NE 50% -+--++
Doug Ose R CA 33% -+--+-
C.L. Otter R ID 67% ++--++
Major Owens D NY 50% --+++-
Michael Oxley R OH 50% -+--++
Frank Pallone D NJ 33% --++--
Bill Pascrell D NJ 67% -++++-
Ed Pastor D AZ 50% --+++-
Ron Paul R TX 100% +++++.
Donald Payne D NJ 40% --++.-
Stevan Pearce R NM 50% -+--++
Nancy Pelosi D CA 33% --++--
Mike Pence R IN 83% +++-++
John Peterson R PA 40% -+--.+
Collin Peterson D MN 50% -+-+-+
Thomas Petri R WI 50% -+--++
Charles Pickering R MS 40% -.--++
Joseph Pitts R PA 50% -+--++
Todd Platts R PA 67% ++--++
Richard Pombo R CA 60% ++--.+
Earl Pomeroy D ND 33% -+-+--
Jon Porter R NV 50% -+--++
David Price D NC 50% --+++-
Deborah Pryce R OH 50% -+--++
Adam Putnam R FL 67% ++--++
Jack Quinn R NY 50% -+-.+.
George Radanovich R CA 50% -+--++
Nick Rahall D WV 83% -+++++
James Ramstad R MN 50% -+--++
Charles Rangel D NY 50% --+++-
Ralph Regula R OH 50% -+--++
Dennis Rehberg R MT 50% -+--++
Rick Renzi R AZ 83% ++-+++
Silvestre Reyes D TX 67% -++++-
Thomas Reynolds R NY 50% -+--++
Ciro Rodriguez D TX 50% --+++-
Harold Rogers R KY 50% -+--++
Mike Rogers R MI 50% -+--++
Mike Rogers * R AL 67% ++--++
Dana Rohrabacher R CA 50% ++---+
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R FL 33% -+--+-
Mike Ross D AR 67% -+++-+
Steven Rothman D NJ 33% --++--
Lucille Roybal-Allard D CA 50% --+++-
Edward Royce R CA 67% ++--++
C. Ruppersberger D MD 67% -++++-
Bobby Rush D IL 50% --+++-
Paul Ryan R WI 50% -+--++
Tim Ryan D OH 50% -+++--
Jim Ryun R KS 83% +++-++
Martin Sabo D MN 40% -.++--
Loretta Sanchez D CA 50% --+++-
Linda Sanchez D CA 33% --++--
Max Sandlin D TX 83% -+++++
H. Saxton R NJ 50% -+--++
Janice Schakowsky D IL 33% --++--
Adam Schiff D CA 33% --++--
Edward Schrock R VA 67% ++--++
David Scott D GA 33% ---++-
Robert Scott D VA 50% --+++-
F. Sensenbrenner R WI 50% -+--++
José Serrano D NY 33% --++--
Pete Sessions R TX 67% ++--++
John Shadegg R AZ 83% +++-++
E. Shaw R FL 50% -+--++
Christopher Shays R CT 50% -+-++-
Brad Sherman D CA 50% --+++-
Donald Sherwood R PA 50% -+--++
John Shimkus R IL 50% -+--++
Bill Shuster R PA 60% ++--.+
Robert Simmons R CT 17% ----+-
Mike Simpson R ID 50% -+--++
Ike Skelton D MO 83% -+++++
Louise Slaughter D NY 33% --++--
Nick Smith R MI 80% +++-.+
Adam Smith D WA 50% --+++-
Christopher Smith R NJ 67% -+-+++
Lamar Smith R TX 50% -+--++
Victor Snyder D AR 50% --+++-
Hilda Solis D CA 33% --++--
Mark Souder R IN 50% -+--++
John Spratt D SC 67% -++++-
Fortney Stark D CA 33% --++--
Clifford Stearns R FL 67% ++--++
Charles Stenholm D TX 67% -+-+++
Ted Strickland D OH 50% -+++--
Bart Stupak D MI 67% -++++-
John Sullivan R OK 67% ++--++
John Sweeney R NY 50% -+--++
Thomas Tancredo R CO 83% +++-++
John Tanner D TN 80% -++.++
Ellen Tauscher D CA 33% --++--
William Tauzin R LA 50% -+-..+
Charles Taylor R NC 60% ++--.+
Gene Taylor D MS 83% ++++-+
Lee Terry R NE 50% -+--++
William Thomas R CA 33% -+---+
Bennie Thompson D MS 50% --+++-
Mike Thompson D CA 33% --++--
Mac Thornberry R TX 50% -+--++
Todd Tiahrt R KS 67% ++--++
Patrick Tiberi R OH 67% ++--++
John Tierney D MA 33% --++--
Edolphus Towns D NY 50% --+++-
James Turner D TX 83% -+++++
Michael Turner R OH 50% -+--++
Fred Upton R MI 50% -+--++
Nydia Velázquez D NY 50% --+++-
Peter Visclosky D IN 50% -+++--
Greg Walden R OR 50% -+--++
James Walsh R NY 40% -.--++
Zach Wamp R TN 67% -++-++
Maxine Waters D CA 33% --++--
Diane Watson D CA 33% --++--
Melvin Watt D NC 50% --+++-
Henry Waxman D CA 33% --++--
Anthony Weiner D NY 50% --+++-
W. Weldon R PA 50% -+--++
David Weldon R FL 67% ++--++
Gerald Weller R IL 50% -+--++
Robert Wexler D FL 50% --+++-
Ed Whitfield R KY 50% -+--++
Heather Wilson R NM 50% -+--++
Joe Wilson R SC 67% ++--++
Frank Wolf R VA 50% -+--++
Lynn Woolsey D CA 33% --++--
David Wu D OR 33% ---++-
Albert Wynn D MD 50% --+++-
C. Young R FL 50% -+--++
Don Young R AK 60% ++--.+

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Democrat 49.5%
Republican 54.5%